Hypertrophic tonsils: the effect on resonance and velopharyngeal closure

This paper presents a case of altered resonance secondary to hypertrophic tonsils. Through nasopharyngoscopy, the tonsils were found to be in the nasopharynx and interposed between the velum and posterior pharyngeal wall. This resulted in incomplete velopharyngeal closure and evidence of hypernasality. This large mass was also felt to obstruct sound transmission into both the oral and nasal cavities, causing a mixture of hyponasality and cul-de-sac resonance. Tonsillectomy resulted in an elimination of all of these characteristics. Resonance was judged to be normal on the postoperative assessment.